On December 20th, 2023, students in Mrs. Swanson’s 6th Grade U.S. History classes learned about Colonial Holiday traditions and did a Colonial America themed “escape room”. The students used their knowledge of Colonial America to solve mysteries, break codes, and decipher clues in order to find keys hidden around the room & unlock the 4 locks standing between them and escaping to earn their reward! They also tried their hand at writing with quill and ink on parchment and enjoyed time with classmates before winter break.
Ms. Warren's class created edible Christmas trees in the HCMS Media Center. They had to follow step by step directions to complete the activity.
Chemical Reactions: Students in Ms. Hamlett's science class are using sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, phenol red, and water to demonstrate endothermic and exothermic reactions.
As a reminder, students will be dismissed early on Thursday, December 21, 2023. Students from South Boston Early Learning Center and South Boston Elementary School will dismiss at 11:00 AM. All other students will dismiss at 11:30 AM. Winter break for students will be December 22, 2023 - December 29, 2023. The New Year's holiday is January 1, 2024. January 2, 2024 and January 3, 2024 are professional development/teacher workdays. Students return to school on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
We hope that you have a very happy and safe holiday season.
HCMS winners of the art activity sponsored by RHO IOTA Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
HCMS Winter Chorus Concert
Students in Mrs. Witcher's Science 6 classes studied Punnett Squares. As a follow-up activity, students did a lab on probability. Flipping a coin, students figured out the probability of how many times the coin would land on head or tails. Information gathered was used to construct Punnet Squares.
During Dec. 4th-8th, HCMS observed the national Computer Science Education Week 2023. Students had the opportunity to explore daily interactive computer science activities on networking & the Internet, data, cybersecurity, and machine learning/artificial intelligence. The week culminated in the Hour of Code on Friday, Dec. 8th, where students experienced computer programming through a tutorial of their choice. Mrs. Bowers-Stanley, the HCMS Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, would like to thank the faculty and students for another successful CS Ed Week!
Due to light snow and the potential for black ice in some areas of the county, Halifax County Public Schools will operate on a two hour delay today, Monday, December 11, 2023. Twelve month employees follow Code 2, report two hours late.
Interim reports for the second nine weeks are available for viewing on the Campus Portal. If you need assistance with the portal or need a paper copy of the report, please contact your child's school.
All schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 through Friday, November 24, 2023 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
We hope you have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
District VI Choir Delegates
World Kindness Day is a day to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness for good which binds us. Kindness is a fundamental part of the human condition which bridges the divides of race, religion, politics, gender, and location.
All schools and offices will be closed Friday, November 10, 2023 in observance of Veterans Day.
Ms. B. Powell's 8th-grade Health & Medical Science students took a field trip to the Southern Virginia Higher Ed. Center. They participated in an escape room and experienced working with simulated patients.
Ms. Warren's students completed a spooky escape room in the library using context clues to find the definition of words.
Virginians have a new tool to help them plan for their education after high school with a new website launched by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. The Level Up Virginia website provides information on educational options such as certificate programs, apprenticeships, the military, trade schools, two-year and four-year colleges, and universities. In addition, the website offers tips for adult learners, students with disabilities, first-generation students, and English language learners. Check out this statewide initiative to increase postsecondary readiness, enrollment, and completion for all students in the Commonwealth. Check it out at https://www.levelupvirginia.org/
Mr. Layne’s art classes are finishing up their sculpture assignment. The sculptures are made of aluminum foil, wire, tape, wood, and plaster gauze. When the plaster is dry, the students paint them with tempera and acrylic paint. Here is an outstanding example!
Report cards for the first nine weeks may be viewed on the Campus Portal. If you need assistance with the portal or need a paper copy of the report card, please contact your child's school.
Snapping Sticks!
Mr. Long's 8th-grade integrated science students created lattice patterns out of colored tongue depressors to enrich their understanding of the types of energy, energy transformation, and The Law of Conservation of Energy. Students demonstrated how this unique pattern stores potential energy, and at the end, the model is released, demonstrating the transfer and conservation of energy.
